7 Free Courses Online in February

February is a month simply asking for a winter break. Most people go skiing or flee to some warmer spots on the map, others prefer staying in and relaxing. Whichever is your choice, I’m sure you might think of a nice and enjoyable course to enjoy during this winter month.

Becoming a Better Teacher: Exploring Professional Development by the British Council

Starts: 4/02/19

Duration: 4 weeks

For whom: teachers who want to improve their skills

One of the more interesting courses by the British Council shows you not only areas you may improve as a teacher, but also explains the idea of CPD, emphasises the importance of peer observations and demonstrates there’s nothing as good as Kolb’s cycle for a self-reflection. I believe it’s a perfect course for February – you can still feel the tingling of New Year Resolutions, but you’ve probably experienced your first downfall (statistically – if not, I salute you). This course will put you back on the track to mastering your teaching ways,

Creating Apps in the Classroom by the QUT

Starts: 4/02/19

Duration: 2 weeks

For whom: teachers who want to discover what apps are and how they might be used

You probably use some awesome apps (if not, check my recommendations here). This course will show you the basics of creating your own application. Who knows, maybe that will inspire you to create a real breakthrough in teaching? Good luck, and remember that you will be asked to sign up for a free, online app creation site. For those with limited internet access, the software may be downloaded and used offline on a PC.

Teaching Phonics in Early Childhood by the QUT

Starts: 4/02/19

Duration: 2 weeks

For whom: teachers who want to discover the power of phonics

A friend of mine has recently said that once she hadn’t understood the idea behind teaching phonics, but since she’d started working with children it all suddenly made sense. You have an opportunity to discover the importance of phonics in learning English. You will learn about an appropriate strategy for teaching code-related literacy in early childhood settings – and this may influence your teaching style.

Testing Times in the Classroom: Challenges of 21st Century Education by the University of Exeter

Starts: now 🙂

Duration: 4 weeks

For whom: anyone interested in education

We all know education changes – and recently it’s been changing quite rapidly. Formative assessment, alternative education, even technological impact influence the educational process… however, not the system. Some thoughts, ideas and practices have remained the same or similar. This course will be a great opportunity to discuss the changes not only in the whole educational system, but also our individual approach.

Orchestrating Whole Classroom Discussion by the University of Pennsylvania

Starts: 30/01/2019

Duration: 4 weeks

For whom: every teacher who wants to encourage great classroom discussions

This course will help you inspire, start and monitor a great discussion in the classroom. You will learn how to set goals for discussion, select texts and prepare text-based questions to guide the conversation – and prepare students for the whole-class discussion. This is a great idea if you struggle with this area of teaching English.

Assessment for Learning by the University of Illinois

Starts: 30/01/2019

Duration: 4 weeks

For whom: people interested in current debates about testing

Who likes tests?

…

Yeah, just as I thought. This course is an interesting study of various testing systems, and the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to assessment. You will not only try to define “standardised assessments”, but also discuss new opportunities, educational data mining and the actual purposes of assessment, evaluation, and research. Sounds quite interesting, especially if you hate your present testing system!

How to Survive Your PhD by the Australian National University

Starts: self-paced

Duration: 4 weeks

For whom: all those brave people who decided to get PhD

Having realised that between one-quarter and one-third of all research students never finish their degree, I’ve never made an attempt to get one. I know some courageous people who decided to walk the path of despair, so I think this course may be a great thing for them. You will learn how to understand the common emotional experiences of research students, help them cope with the emotional challenges of research study and even become more effective research supervisors.

Hope you’ll find the course that’s just perfect for you – enjoy!